Visit the terracotta army of Xi’An: tickets, prices, schedules

Fiers. Stoics. The soldiers of the terracotta army of Xi’An have been standing for centuries. Follow the guide!

The Chinese city of Xi’an, the capital of the Shaanxi region, jealously retains one of the greatest works of our History: several tens of thousands of clay men, representing a Chinese army of the Qin Dynasty. But perhaps you know better this treasure under the name of: Army in terracotta of Xi’an. From soldiers to weapons, to horses and armour, everything is faithful and upsetting with realism. Each relief and detail leaves the feeling of a real scene of life. Accidentally discovered in 1974, these creations bear witness to a breathtaking know-how and the greatness of this civilization that dates back to more than two thousand years. Despite China’s multiple wealth, visiting the terracotta army of Xi’An is one of the must-sees.

Tickets, fares, tips and schedules, we tell you everything!

History of the terracotta army of Xi’An

Imagine that a nice morning, you decided to build a puit in your garden. Your boat then hits something. You insist, but nothing to do, nothing to break. You're clearing the ground all around. Still no water. Instead, you fall on the entrance of an underground cave. You push the dusty door. The sun’s light penetrates the abyss, the treasure reveals itself: the largest army in the world... This is the history of the incredible terracotta army of Xi’an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eight thousand warriors fashioned one by one, in an extreme skill. Each face is unique. The expressions, even frozen for millennia, are intact, deep and penetrating.

By sweeping into the forgotten aisles, you land at the heart of a battlefield erected in the middle of China before Jesus Christ. Officers, non-commissioned officers, car drivers, fantasies, horsemen on their horses, arbaltriers ready to dig, stand solidly alongside you. When you get back to the surface, you barely realize what just happened to you. Yes, you have just discovered an invaluable treasure of humanity: the terracotta army of Xi’an, commanded by Emperor Qin and built like a mausoleum. The purpose of this procession was to prolong its reign and protect it beyond. These clay soldiers came out of earth in thirty-six long years and demanded the effort of seven hundred thousand people.

At the funeral of the Emperor, women, the workers who knew the secrets of making the tomb and all those who attended the event, were swollen alive... in the midst of the traps installed to protect the remains forever. Glauque or fascinating?

Our advice to visit the terracotta army of Xi’An

Visiting the terracotta army of Xi’An is visiting the second most tourist site in China after The Great Wall . As much as enjoying this historic dive and this marvel among the most coveted in the world. To do this, here are some tips.

Take a guide

If you’ve never been to China, you still don’t know how little English translation and English-speaking premises are. If it is not necessary to take a guide because the course is marked with a few phrases in English, it is strongly advised if you want to be actually documented.

Avoid the crowd

Open all year round, ideal to visit in all seasons, affluence is constant. Nevertheless, Avoid weekends, holidays and Chinese holidays. In addition, we advise you to make the visit within 10 hours or between noon and two.

Take his time

Don’t be content with a quick overview of the place. It's huge! This is worth looking at the aisles and stopping on the faces. Each one has its own expression and you will sometimes feel like facing true humans frozen in the clay.

Knowing that the site is well equipped

Although the parking and entrance of the main pits are a few minutes’ walk away, shuttles make the journey for 5 yuan . In addition, between the different points of interest, you can rent small cars.

The site is therefore accessible to all people with reduced mobility.

What to do during your visit?

To visit the terracotta army of Xi’An, easily count two to three hours. Think that everything is nature-size and that the site is still spreading over 16 thousand square meters!

It consists of three pits:

• The first counts two thousand terracotta soldiers. Immense and impressive, it will necessarily give you the thrill.
• The second counts a large number of archers, riders, drivers of tanks. This is the most provided in terms of historical information and ornamentation.
• The third house is the command post.

Know that you will not have the opportunity to admire the entire army. A party is, voluntarily, still buried underground. In the light of the day and in the air, the initial paint of the soldiers collapsed and disappeared. Hence the current graying color. The State expects technological advances to protect mineral paint to initiate new searches.

Your ticket to the terracotta army of Xi’An includes the entrance to the mausoleum of Qin Shihuang. You can admire the reproduction of the tomb of the Emperor. Qin Shi Huangdi, born in 259 BC is a true figure of prowes among the Chinese emperors. He is considered the unifier of the empire of China and the father of the Great Wall. For the record, the real tomb is part of the pieces still buried and secreted. It seems, this said, that it is adorned with a bronze palace, adorned with trenches filled with mercury simulating rivers and the sea...

You can also visit the terracotta army of Xi’An starting with a bike ride . In a few pedal strokes, you can admire the still intact ramparts and watching over the old town of Xi’an. This long walk almost Fourteen kilometers will cost you 60 yuan.

How much does a ticket cost to the terracotta army of Xi’An?

A ticket to the terracotta army of Xi’An costs:

• During the high season (early March to end November): 150 yuan (about 20€).
• Count 120 yuan the rest of the year.
• Children less than a meter of twenty are free of charge and students with a reduced rate.

How to book an online ticket for the terracotta army of Xi’An?

You have, in fact, the possibility to book your tickets online on tour operators platforms. There are guided tours, and we advise you to take one if you are really interested in the history of the terracotta army.

To visit the terracotta army of Xi’An, on the official website, you have the choice between two options:

• Book a ticket with a simple audio-guide which gives superficial but already very valuable information (40 yuan).
• Book your ticket for the terracotta army of Xi’an, including directly one private guide

Opening hours

• In high season: the site is open 8:30 to 5:00.
• In low season: the site is open 8:30 to 16:30.

How can I access the terracotta army of Xi’An?

From the eponymous city, you will need about an hour’s drive to visit the terracotta army of Xi’An.

• From Xi’an railway station or airport (very well served): you will also find tourist bus lines dedicated to the site. Otherwise, taxis will not miss. The cheapest option remains unquestionably bus number 306 from the train station to the north of the ramparts.
• From Beijing : the train is the easiest way to visit the terracotta army of Xi’an. Express trains (around 15 per day) connect the two cities to each other maximum six hours. Count between 60 and 200€ The trip. Otherwise, in low cost version, opt for a night train (fifteen hours but not more than 60€).
• Concerning the tomb of Qin Shi Huang: It is a kilometer and a half from the museum. One free shuttle can take you there.

Where to stay to visit the terracotta army of Xi’an?

To contemplate the most famous clay soldiers in the world, you have to go 40 kilometers from the city centre of Xi’an.

Our advice, after visiting the terracotta army of Xi’An, is to stay near the other sites of interest in the city and to make your visit on a day. In this case, why not stay in the heart of the historic centre? Not far from the great mosque, for example. Or in the Muslim quarter: the most vibrant, colourful and vibrant place in the city. You can gauge the prices of hotels on this Compare .

For smaller budgets, you will also find many Airbnb or hostels .